CVE-2014-6856 in AHRAH
Summary
by MITRE
The AHRAH (aka com.vet2pet.aid219426) application 219426 for Android does not verify X.509 certificates from SSL servers, which allows man-in-the-middle attackers to spoof servers and obtain sensitive information via a crafted certificate.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6856 affects the AHRAH Android application version 219426, specifically targeting its implementation of secure communication protocols. This represents a critical security flaw in the application's cryptographic handshake mechanism that directly undermines the integrity of data transmission between the mobile client and remote servers. The issue stems from the application's failure to properly validate X.509 certificates during the SSL/TLS connection establishment process, creating an exploitable weakness that adversaries can leverage to compromise user data confidentiality and system integrity. The vulnerability is particularly concerning given that it affects a mobile application that likely handles sensitive personal or medical information, making it an attractive target for cybercriminals seeking to intercept communications.
From a technical perspective, the flaw manifests as a complete absence of certificate verification within the application's SSL implementation. This allows attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks by presenting fraudulent certificates that the application accepts without proper validation. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-295, which addresses "Improper Certificate Validation," and represents a failure in the certificate chain validation process that should normally occur during SSL/TLS handshakes. The application's cryptographic implementation lacks proper certificate pinning or trust verification mechanisms, enabling attackers to substitute their own certificates for legitimate ones. This weakness is classified under the ATT&CK technique T1041, which describes data compression and encryption for data exfiltration, as the compromised communication channel enables unauthorized access to sensitive information.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data interception, as it creates a persistent security risk for all users of the application. Attackers can exploit this weakness to capture sensitive information transmitted through the application, potentially including personal health information, user credentials, or other confidential data. The vulnerability affects the application's ability to maintain secure communications, undermining the fundamental security guarantees that SSL/TLS protocols are designed to provide. Organizations using this application face increased risk of data breaches, compliance violations, and potential legal consequences due to the exposure of sensitive information. The attack vector is particularly dangerous in public Wi-Fi environments where network traffic interception is more prevalent, making the vulnerability exploitable in real-world scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing proper certificate validation mechanisms within the application. The recommended approach includes implementing certificate pinning to ensure that the application only accepts specific certificates or certificate authorities, thereby preventing attackers from substituting fraudulent certificates. Additionally, the application should enforce strict certificate chain validation, including checking certificate expiration dates, verifying certificate signatures, and ensuring proper certificate authority trust. Security updates should incorporate proper SSL/TLS implementation that aligns with industry standards such as those outlined in the NIST SP 800-52 guidelines for secure cryptographic practices. Organizations should also consider implementing network monitoring to detect anomalous traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust cryptographic implementation in mobile applications and demonstrates the critical need for proper security testing during the development lifecycle to prevent such flaws from reaching production environments.